Since the annoying cold weather has not ceased it has been an endless hope we will get a migrant, but I wouldn't wish that on a bird having flown so far, to arrive here to find sod all to eat because it's so damned cold still.
Much as I'd like to have seen Sand Martin, LRP, Swallow, even House Martin and Willow Warbler, none look likely in the next 48 hours, but we shall see.
Nonetheless, a Blackcap's song graced my ears this morning, probably 2, marking my 100th species for the year, and that is just fine indeed.
I look forward to an April Hawfinch as Richard saw one today and Rick saw 6-8 at the nearby StNicholas Church....as predicted, but I couldn't find the time to prove myself.
Any day now a biggy will show, the 18 year anniversary since my Purple Heron is here on the 5th and 6th April, my hasn't time flown...such memories....such bliss.
Thursday, 29 March 2018
Thursday, 22 March 2018
2018 flying high
I knew things had been tracking well and no individual species makes a year, but the bonus birds keep coming for me.
All was pretty quiet this morning at Lea Farm G.P. today, then up went everything....Peregrine? No some muppet dog walker on the East shore, you've got to be kidding me. Off I went, quickly locked the hide, running back the green bridge and clambered over barbed wire fence.
As I crossed the the ditch at the base of the Southern spit, I whistled to the man now heading East parallel with Lavell's. So it went something like "my dog ran off at the gate, which was open and I couldn't catch him, so I kept chasing and now I got this far I'm trying to get back home not far from the Chocoholics place".
I explained in polite terms he was on private property and should he come back, would be faced with gates and promises of fines. He seemed genuinely apologetic.
Onwards and out of breath I went, off to BSL sailing club, nothing, Lavell's Tern scrape, next to nothing, a last minute check of the car park field to see if a Hawfinch was about, led to my seeing a football sized bird lift of the ground and buzz over the hedgerow. I knew it was a Red-legged Partridge without even getting my bins on it, so ran to the landfill viewpoint, where I picked it up legging it to the track and watched it continue to adjacent to the recently cut willows, where it paused allowing terrible record shots, before speeding on West along the track out of sight.
99 for the year, blimey. In itself it's nothing amazing, but if you don't miss the annual migrants and continue hitting bonus birds, it makes for a darn good score and I know I remain 7-10 days ahead of any other year. This means if we get the expected Sand Martin, Blackcap, Redshank, then possibly add LRP, Wheatear, Garganey, Swallow, Curlew, Red-crested Pochard and early House Martin and Willow Warbler on the 31st, we could smash it out of the park on all fronts.
The month is also ahead, 1 more to equal the heady heights of 2012's 100 and the year on 101, needs 5 more to equal the running total in 2012.
Here is the shot of the Merlin on the post, distance and shakes make it impossible, but it was a fabulous male.
All was pretty quiet this morning at Lea Farm G.P. today, then up went everything....Peregrine? No some muppet dog walker on the East shore, you've got to be kidding me. Off I went, quickly locked the hide, running back the green bridge and clambered over barbed wire fence.
As I crossed the the ditch at the base of the Southern spit, I whistled to the man now heading East parallel with Lavell's. So it went something like "my dog ran off at the gate, which was open and I couldn't catch him, so I kept chasing and now I got this far I'm trying to get back home not far from the Chocoholics place".
I explained in polite terms he was on private property and should he come back, would be faced with gates and promises of fines. He seemed genuinely apologetic.
Onwards and out of breath I went, off to BSL sailing club, nothing, Lavell's Tern scrape, next to nothing, a last minute check of the car park field to see if a Hawfinch was about, led to my seeing a football sized bird lift of the ground and buzz over the hedgerow. I knew it was a Red-legged Partridge without even getting my bins on it, so ran to the landfill viewpoint, where I picked it up legging it to the track and watched it continue to adjacent to the recently cut willows, where it paused allowing terrible record shots, before speeding on West along the track out of sight.
99 for the year, blimey. In itself it's nothing amazing, but if you don't miss the annual migrants and continue hitting bonus birds, it makes for a darn good score and I know I remain 7-10 days ahead of any other year. This means if we get the expected Sand Martin, Blackcap, Redshank, then possibly add LRP, Wheatear, Garganey, Swallow, Curlew, Red-crested Pochard and early House Martin and Willow Warbler on the 31st, we could smash it out of the park on all fronts.
The month is also ahead, 1 more to equal the heady heights of 2012's 100 and the year on 101, needs 5 more to equal the running total in 2012.
Here is the shot of the Merlin on the post, distance and shakes make it impossible, but it was a fabulous male.
Sunday, 18 March 2018
More typical snowy result
I was due to go to Cardiff for work but snow stopped play and I got out to Lea Farm GP for a quick check and it was an underwhelming experience, much more like many a cold snap gone before.
2-3 inches of snow, strong East wind....no good birds....what was the difference from the last event that blew us all away?
No idea, the highlights were 8 Snipe, c60 Wigeon, c40 Teal, 3 Lapwing, 6 Common Gull, 2-3 distant 'probable Raven' 50+ Redwing, 30-40 Siskin in Alder above the path.
I can't recall a mid March date when snow did settle like it did overnight and continues as it does tonight, I'm sure I am just not aware of the facts. A few shots hopefully capture the glory of it.
I'd still love a Water Pipit, a Garganey and a Curlew would be great, perhaps a Little Gull, like other sites have been getting.
2-3 inches of snow, strong East wind....no good birds....what was the difference from the last event that blew us all away?
No idea, the highlights were 8 Snipe, c60 Wigeon, c40 Teal, 3 Lapwing, 6 Common Gull, 2-3 distant 'probable Raven' 50+ Redwing, 30-40 Siskin in Alder above the path.
I can't recall a mid March date when snow did settle like it did overnight and continues as it does tonight, I'm sure I am just not aware of the facts. A few shots hopefully capture the glory of it.
I'd still love a Water Pipit, a Garganey and a Curlew would be great, perhaps a Little Gull, like other sites have been getting.
Saturday, 17 March 2018
March marching on
As per the trend these days, a few things have happened since my seeing Black-necked Grebe, the first being never seeing it again despite it remaining til at least the 13th.
Hawfinch were last seen 11th from what I can find.
4 Oystercatchers 13th, the 14th brought me my first Chiffchaff along the Loddon near the green bridge, Barn Owl each morning I've been out, 111 Wigeon and 27 Teal still LFGP, not counting Lavell's, but it was today that was the most exciting. When I arrived at LFGP 06:30 it was snowing fine granules of snow and a very cold East wind blowing in, I scanned 2-3 times for yesterday's Redshank without success, checked for Garganey, pipits and then began checking for Wheatear.
Right to left, each vent, nothing, nothing, nothing, err what's this on a post on the far landfill, too big for a Wheatear, but grey, not a Stock Dove...'no it's a raptor, blimey it's a male Merlin'.
fumbling for my phone adapter, no joy it was in the car, calls to John, Brian and grabbing a couple of pathetic hand held shots and a WhatsApp message....take your eye off it for 3 seconds and it's gone.
Panning around a pair of Mandarin went by, so another year tick, but no further sign before Jack arrived 2-3 minutes later.
Hawfinch were last seen 11th from what I can find.
4 Oystercatchers 13th, the 14th brought me my first Chiffchaff along the Loddon near the green bridge, Barn Owl each morning I've been out, 111 Wigeon and 27 Teal still LFGP, not counting Lavell's, but it was today that was the most exciting. When I arrived at LFGP 06:30 it was snowing fine granules of snow and a very cold East wind blowing in, I scanned 2-3 times for yesterday's Redshank without success, checked for Garganey, pipits and then began checking for Wheatear.
Right to left, each vent, nothing, nothing, nothing, err what's this on a post on the far landfill, too big for a Wheatear, but grey, not a Stock Dove...'no it's a raptor, blimey it's a male Merlin'.
fumbling for my phone adapter, no joy it was in the car, calls to John, Brian and grabbing a couple of pathetic hand held shots and a WhatsApp message....take your eye off it for 3 seconds and it's gone.
Panning around a pair of Mandarin went by, so another year tick, but no further sign before Jack arrived 2-3 minutes later.
Thursday, 8 March 2018
Off patch Stonechat
Newby Mike posted on Berksbirds a Whinchat near Borough Marsh and I wanted to check it out, being less than 10 minute drive I quickly joined him there.
Not a Whinchat, but a rather interesting looking Stonechat, as the pictures below reveal.
I'd hoped it might have a chance of being a Siberian Stonechat, but from a little research and discussions with others, it isn't pale enough, the tale lacks the rufous tones etc. But they are so variable, one should always check carefully.
Not a Whinchat, but a rather interesting looking Stonechat, as the pictures below reveal.
I'd hoped it might have a chance of being a Siberian Stonechat, but from a little research and discussions with others, it isn't pale enough, the tale lacks the rufous tones etc. But they are so variable, one should always check carefully.
The lull before the storm
After all the excitement that cold snap brought, the carry over birds remaining are 2 male Pintail and the Black-necked Grebe, yesterday's fly over Goosander might be the same male seen 2-3 times recently.
Now we wait for signs of passage, perhaps a long awaited Rock Pipit for Lea Farm, early to mid March is the best time if we use the early 80's records as a compass! Then if we use the same compass for Water Pipit, late March into April for Water....I wish for either, as neither has occurred since the early 80's.
I've already covered the possibilities for March in various posts over the years, so will be keeping an eye out for those possible bonus gems, like Common Scoter, Yellow-legged Gull, Curlew, other geese, mystical Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, any divers, Shag, and somewhat more down to earth a Merlin, Hen Harrier or Short-eared Owl on it's way out.
Now we wait for signs of passage, perhaps a long awaited Rock Pipit for Lea Farm, early to mid March is the best time if we use the early 80's records as a compass! Then if we use the same compass for Water Pipit, late March into April for Water....I wish for either, as neither has occurred since the early 80's.
I've already covered the possibilities for March in various posts over the years, so will be keeping an eye out for those possible bonus gems, like Common Scoter, Yellow-legged Gull, Curlew, other geese, mystical Red-breasted Merganser, Long-tailed Duck, any divers, Shag, and somewhat more down to earth a Merlin, Hen Harrier or Short-eared Owl on it's way out.
Saturday, 3 March 2018
Another good one
Out at 07:00, in very grey and much warmer conditions as a very quick thaw set in. At Sandford 2 male and 1 female Pintail, which moved to LFGP. At LFGP another Dunlin sat in front of the hide, but not so much more happening, a Little Egret over, a few Lapwing, 4 Snipe was it for me.
A loop around the Sandford, Heron's Water, WSL section wasn't thrilling, a Kingfisher, 23-25 Pochard and a female Goldeneye on BSL. Nothing much on Lavell's, but Sandford had the Med, but I didn't connect.
Walking with new member Mike we decided to go for the Pintail, now back on Sandford, only to stumble across a Golden Plover right as Jack was texting me a picture they had taken from Sandford hide.
As I left it was clearing and said more could happen...it did a male Goosander flew in and mid afternoon a Black-necked Grebe was found on BSL by Marek, I was in Calcot finishing up a shopping and family trip out, but was at the sailing club by 15:00 enjoying the first Black-necked Grebe since 2012.
This is a very good start to 2018, 97 species seen, 95 by me so I'm tracking about 10-13 days ahead of 2012 and other good starts.
We can hope to see the following in March roughly in this date order;
Redshank
Mandarin
Little-ringed Plover
Little Owl
Chiffchaff
Garganey
Sand Martin
Wheatear
Blackcap
Swallow
House Martin
Linnet
Uncommon and rare sightings include
Red Crested Pochard
Common Scoter
Ringed Plover
Marsh Harrier
Merlin
Curlew
Rock Pipit
Water Pipit
Avocet
A loop around the Sandford, Heron's Water, WSL section wasn't thrilling, a Kingfisher, 23-25 Pochard and a female Goldeneye on BSL. Nothing much on Lavell's, but Sandford had the Med, but I didn't connect.
Walking with new member Mike we decided to go for the Pintail, now back on Sandford, only to stumble across a Golden Plover right as Jack was texting me a picture they had taken from Sandford hide.
As I left it was clearing and said more could happen...it did a male Goosander flew in and mid afternoon a Black-necked Grebe was found on BSL by Marek, I was in Calcot finishing up a shopping and family trip out, but was at the sailing club by 15:00 enjoying the first Black-necked Grebe since 2012.
This is a very good start to 2018, 97 species seen, 95 by me so I'm tracking about 10-13 days ahead of 2012 and other good starts.
We can hope to see the following in March roughly in this date order;
Redshank
Mandarin
Little-ringed Plover
Little Owl
Chiffchaff
Garganey
Sand Martin
Wheatear
Blackcap
Swallow
House Martin
Linnet
Uncommon and rare sightings include
Red Crested Pochard
Common Scoter
Ringed Plover
Marsh Harrier
Merlin
Curlew
Rock Pipit
Water Pipit
Avocet
Thursday, 1 March 2018
What a morning
I was out chasing down Tim's Smew from last night, BSl was being blasted with strong East winds and blizzard conditions. No sign from the golf course strip, so decided on the West side, John McGowan joined me as we headed round anti clockwise, our faces being frozen off as we went.
We met Andy T and scanned the south end of the island, nothing, Andy went South John and I headed back and I suggested a quick diversion to Sandford to be sure.
Oh boy was that a good idea, a small wader popped out off the East side of the old Tern island, "Dunlin"....."yep running across the island" John said...."no it isn't it's sat still" I said. We had two, but I scanned and found not just the 2nd Dunlin, but 1, no 2, no 3 Ruff hunkering down in the blizzard with Lapwing....you beauty!
No time left before my lift obligations, I had to encounter yet another crunch on Sandford Mill hill, got through and went off for chores.
Not long went by, when Brian was saying no sign of the Ruff, but now at LFGP where they had Golden Plover, 4 Dunlin, 3 male Pintail & Jack Snipe.
I was down pretty quick despite the now closed road.
The Golden Plover went missing, but could still be local, but the Dunlin group grew to a flock of 7, 3 of which were right in front, 3 male Pintail were very nice and brief glimpses of the Jack Snipe.
Other saw Peregrine, Brambling was at Bittern hide feeders, Snipe were flying around everywhere and a group of around 7-8 finches were just Siskin and 3+ Lesser Redpoll opposite the Mill.
I haven't had time to add my finding the Mediterranean Gull yesterday too
These four additions puts me on 93 out of 96, just one to match 2012, so it's going pretty well
We met Andy T and scanned the south end of the island, nothing, Andy went South John and I headed back and I suggested a quick diversion to Sandford to be sure.
Oh boy was that a good idea, a small wader popped out off the East side of the old Tern island, "Dunlin"....."yep running across the island" John said...."no it isn't it's sat still" I said. We had two, but I scanned and found not just the 2nd Dunlin, but 1, no 2, no 3 Ruff hunkering down in the blizzard with Lapwing....you beauty!
No time left before my lift obligations, I had to encounter yet another crunch on Sandford Mill hill, got through and went off for chores.
Not long went by, when Brian was saying no sign of the Ruff, but now at LFGP where they had Golden Plover, 4 Dunlin, 3 male Pintail & Jack Snipe.
I was down pretty quick despite the now closed road.
The Golden Plover went missing, but could still be local, but the Dunlin group grew to a flock of 7, 3 of which were right in front, 3 male Pintail were very nice and brief glimpses of the Jack Snipe.
Other saw Peregrine, Brambling was at Bittern hide feeders, Snipe were flying around everywhere and a group of around 7-8 finches were just Siskin and 3+ Lesser Redpoll opposite the Mill.
I haven't had time to add my finding the Mediterranean Gull yesterday too
These four additions puts me on 93 out of 96, just one to match 2012, so it's going pretty well
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